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Tunnel of Fudge Cake (D, TNT)
Source: Pillsbury Bake Off, 1966
Serves: 16

Cake:
1-3/4 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups margarine or butter, softened
6 eggs
2 cups powdered sugar
2-1/4 cups all-purpose or unbleached flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups walnuts, chopped

Glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 to 6 tsp. milk

Make Cake:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan or 10" tube pan.

In large bowl, combine sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar; blend well.

By hand, stir in flour and remaining cake ingredients until well blended. Spoon batter into greased and floured pan; spread evenly.

Bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is set and edges are beginning to pull away from sides of pan. Cool upright in pan on wire rack 1-1/2 hours. Invert onto serving plate; cool at least 2 hours.

Make Glaze and Assembly:
In small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients, adding enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Spoon over top of cake, allowing some to run down sides. Store tightly covered.

High Altitude Instructions (Above 3500 Feet): Increase flour to 2-1/4 cups plus 3 tbsp. Bake as directed above.

Poster's Notes:
Nuts are essential for the success of this recipe. Since this cake has a soft filling, an ordinary doneness test cannot be used. Accurate oven temperature and baking times are essential.

Author's Note: This recipe, arguably the recipe most closely identified with the Bake-Off® Contest, mysteriously develops a "tunnel of fudge" filling as it bakes. Don't scrimp on the nuts, or it won't work! - Ella Rita Helfrich. Houston, Texas 17th Bake-Off Contest, 1966.

Posted by Susan Greene

Nutritional Info Per Serving: Calories 570; Calories from Fat 290. % DAILY VALUE: Total Fat 32g 49%; Saturated 6g 30%; Cholesterol 80mg 27%; Sodium 260mg 11%; Total Carbohydrate 62g 21%; Dietary Fiber 3g 12%; Sugars 43g; Protein 8g; Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 4%; Iron 10%.
Exchanges: 3 Starch, 1 Fruit, 6 Fat, OR 4 Carbohydrate, 6 Fat.